The Nigeria Police Force attached to the National Central Bureau (NCB-INTERPOL), Lagos Annex, rescued two Colombian nationals held captive by a human trafficking syndicate in Lagos.
The operation followed actionable intelligence received from INTERPOL-NCB, Bogotá, on August 26, 2026, regarding two female citizens of Colombia: Maria Camila Rodas Ortiz and Yuliet Fernanda Rios Mesa.
The hostages were lured to Nigeria, held against their will, and had their travel documents confiscated by Chinese nationals who are currently at large.
Police operatives launched a covert tracking operation, locating the hideout in Lagos where both victims were rescued on the same day.
The fleeing suspects abandoned the location upon sighting the team, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend them.
The rescued hostages are currently in safe custody receiving support.
The Colombian Embassy in Accra is collaborating with the Bureau to arrange hotel accommodations and emergency travel documents for their return to Bogotá.
The statement partly reads: “Upon receipt of the intelligence, police operatives promptly launched a covert tracking operation, locating the hideout in Lagos where both victims were safely rescued on the same day.
“The fleeing suspects abandoned the location upon sighting the approaching team, and efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest all members of the syndicate”, according to Aniedu.
The rescued victims, according to the statement, are currently in safe custody and receiving necessary support.
Reacting to the operation, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to safeguarding residents and deepening collaboration with international law enforcement partners to combat cross-border crimes.
